Pluggable optical module and optical communication system

Abstract

A pluggable optical connector is configured to be insertable into and removable from an optical communication apparatus, and to be capable of communicating a modulation signal and a data signal with the optical communication apparatus. A wavelength-tunable light source is configured to output an output light and a local oscillation light. An optical transmission unit is configured to output an optical signal generated by modulating the output light in response to the modulation signal. An optical reception unit is configured to demodulate an optical signal received by using the local oscillation light to the data signal. Pluggable optical receptors are configured in such a manner that an optical fiber is insertable into and removable from the pluggable optical receptors, and configured to be capable of outputting the optical signal to the optical fiber and transferring the optical signal received thorough the optical fiber to the optical reception unit.

1 . A pluggable optical module comprising:
 a pluggable optical connector configured to be insertable into and removable from an optical communication apparatus, and to be capable of communicating a modulation signal and a data signal with the optical communication apparatus;   a wavelength-tunable light source configured to output an output light and a local oscillation light that have a predetermined wavelength;   an optical transmission unit configured to output a first optical signal generated by modulating the output light in response to the modulation signal;   an optical reception unit configured to demodulate a second optical signal received by using the local oscillation light to the data signal and output the demodulated data signal; and   an pluggable optical receptor configured in such a manner that an optical fiber is insertable into and removable from the pluggable optical receptor, and configured to be capable of outputting the first optical signal to the optical fiber and transferring the second optical signal received thorough the optical fiber to the optical reception unit.   
     
     
         2 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 1 , wherein digital coherent communication using the first optical signal and the second optical signal is performed. 
     
     
         3 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit configured to control the wavelength-tunable light source, the optical transmission unit, and the optical reception unit in response to a control signal received through the pluggable electric connector. 
     
     
         4 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 3 , wherein the control unit controls the wavelength of the output light and the local oscillation light output from the wavelength-tunable light source in response to the control signal. 
     
     
         5 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 4 , wherein the control unit causes the optical transmission unit to perform an operation of modulating the output light according to the wavelength of the output light specified by the control signal. 
     
     
         6 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 4 , wherein the control unit causes the optical transmission unit to perform an operation of demodulating the second optical signal according to the wavelength of the local oscillation light specified by the control signal. 
     
     
         7 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 3 , further comprising an optical power adjustment unit configured to adjust power of the first optical signal. 
     
     
         8 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 7 , wherein the control unit controls optical power adjustment of the first optical signal at the optical power adjustment unit in response to the control signal. 
     
     
         9 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 7 , wherein the optical power adjustment unit is included in the optical transmission unit. 
     
     
         10 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength-tunable light source and the optical transmission unit are configured as a single optical module. 
     
     
         11 . The pluggable optical module according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the wavelength-tunable light source comprises:
 an optical output unit; and 
 an optical branching unit configured to branch the output light output from the optical output unit into the output light and the local oscillation light. 
   
     
     
         12 . An optical communication system comprising:
 an optical fiber configured to transmit an optical signal;   a pluggable optical module configured to output a first optical signal to the optical fiber and receive a second optical signal through the optical fiber, the optical fiber being insertable into and removable from the pluggable optical module; and   an optical communication apparatus configured in such a manner that the pluggable optical module is insertable into and removable from the optical communication apparatus, wherein   the pluggable optical module comprises:
 a pluggable optical connector configured to be insertable into and removable from the optical communication apparatus, and to be capable of communicating a modulation signal and a data signal with the optical communication apparatus; 
 a wavelength-tunable light source configured to output an output light and a local oscillation light that have a predetermined wavelength; 
 an optical transmission unit configured to output the first optical signal generated by modulating the output light in response to the modulation signal; 
 an optical reception unit configured to demodulate the second optical signal received by using the local oscillation light to the data signal and output the demodulated data signal; and 
 an pluggable optical receptor configured in such a manner that the optical fiber is insertable into and removable from the pluggable optical receptor, and configured to be capable of outputting the first optical signal to the optical fiber and transferring the second optical signal received thorough the optical fiber to the optical reception unit. 
   
     
     
         13 . The optical communication system according to  claim 12 , wherein digital coherent communication using the first optical signal and the second optical signal is performed. 
     
     
         14 . The optical communication system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a control unit configured to control the wavelength-tunable light source, the optical transmission unit, and the optical reception unit in response to a control signal received through the pluggable electric connector. 
     
     
         15 . The optical communication system according to  claim 14 , wherein the control unit controls the wavelength of the output light and the local oscillation light output from the wavelength-tunable light source in response to the control signal. 
     
     
         16 . The optical communication system according to  claim 15 , wherein the control unit causes the optical transmission unit to perform an operation of modulating the output light according to the wavelength of the output light specified by the control signal. 
     
     
         17 . The optical communication system according to  claim 15 , wherein the control unit causes the optical transmission unit to perform an operation of demodulating the second optical signal according to the wavelength of the local oscillation light specified by the control signal. 
     
     
         18 . The optical communication system according to  claim 14 , further comprising an optical power adjustment unit configured to adjust power of the first optical signal. 
     
     
         19 . The optical communication system according to  claim 18 , wherein the control unit controls optical power adjustment of the first optical signal at the optical power adjustment unit in response to the control signal. 
     
     
         20 . The optical communication system according to  claim 18 , wherein the optical power adjustment unit is included in the optical transmission unit. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)